We invite you to join us in calling on the Department of State and Department of Defense to conduct a full and public evaluation of U.S. security assistance and arms sales to Mexico and suspend any U.S. financing of armed forces involvement in Mexico’s public
security operations.

We believe that the protection of human rights and civilian security should be fundamental goals in the United States bilateral agenda with Mexico, and are concerned that U.S. funds may be perpetuating cycles of violence and enabling human rights violations
by the Mexican military. The Mexican government has deployed tens of thousands of Mexican soldiers in its counter-drug efforts, institutionalizing a militarized approach on domestic crime. Reports indicate that this has resulted in a dramatic increase in human
rights violations, including torture, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial executions. In 2017, Mexico experienced the highest homicide rate in its recorded history.

The full text of the letter is below. If you have questions or would like to sign onto this letter, please email Brieana Marticorena with Rep. Ellison’s office (brieana.marticorena@mail.house.gov).
The deadline to sign on is 12pm Friday, May 18th.

Sincerely,

Keith Ellison Raúl M. Grijalva

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Dear Secretary Pompeo and Secretary Mattis,

We write to urge you to conduct a full and public assessment of U.S. security assistance to Mexico. We are concerned that U.S. funds may be furthering cycles of violence and enabling human rights violations by the Mexican military.

The Mexican government has deployed tens of thousands of Mexican soldiers in its counter-drug efforts. These armed forces are trained for warfare rather than for police duties, as confirmed by Mexican Defense Secretary General Salvador Cienfuegos.1
Studies have shown that the deployment of Mexican military forces in law enforcement has led to increases in homicides. In 2017, Mexico experienced the highest homicide rate in its recorded history.2

The use of Mexican military forces in the war on drugs has also resulted in a dramatic increase in human rights violations, including torture, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial executions. Fewer than four percent of Mexican investigations of abuses
allegedly committed by soldiers between 2012 and 2016 have resulted in convictions in civilian courts.3

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto institutionalized this militarized approach by signing the Internal Security Law in December 2017. This law enables the military to intervene in domestic criminal investigations and limits access to information regarding
events that occur during military operations, including military abuses. National and international experts and institutions, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and Mexico’s National Human Rights
Commission actively oppose the Internal Security Law.

Between 2008 and 2017, the State Department appropriated more than $465.9 million to Mexico’s armed forces through foreign military financing.4 In the last decade, the Department of Defense provided Mexico with more than $550 million in counter-drug
assistance.5 We are concerned that this funding supports and encourages militarizing public safety, leading to higher levels of violence and impunity.

Protection of human rights and civilian security should be fundamental goals in the United States bilateral agenda with Mexico. We urge you to suspend any U.S. financing of armed forces involvement in Mexico’s public security operations and focus on supporting
efforts to advance the rule of law, investigate and prosecute human rights violations, and combat corruption, particularly along the trafficking route.

We urge you to conduct a full and public evaluation of the Merida Initiative, U.S. security aid and arms sales to Mexico to inform future funding decisions and ensure that U.S. security aid and trade do not support further human rights violations and violence.
The evaluation should have clear metrics, include input from civil society, and address the implications for public safety, human rights and the rule of law.